Fruit-gatherer



(N9 Model.)

D. T. WARD, Jr. FRUIT GATHERER.

Patented Jan. 11,1898.

s PETERE no FmJ-roun UNITED STATES PA'IENT @rricn.

DANIEL T. WARD, JR, OF WHITESVILLE, KENTUCKY.

FRUIT-GATHERER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 597,340, dated January 11, 1898.

Application filed February 11, 1897. Serial No. 622,922. (No model.)

To all where zit may concern: 7

Be it known that I, DANIEL T. WARD, Jr., a citizen of the United States, and a resident of lvhitesville, in the county of Daviess and State of Kentucky, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fruit-Gatherers; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to fruit-gatherers of that class or character which comprise a pocket on the end of a pole, with means operated by the person holding the pole for severing the fruit from the stem of the tree, so-

that it will drop into the pocket and can then be deposited in a suitable receptacle without being bruised or injured.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved fruit-gatherer which shall possess superior advantages with respect to efficiency in use. I

The invention consists,essentially,in a pole of suitable length provided at the upper end with an annulus or ring, secured thereto at a right angle, and provided with brace-rods, to which ring is secured a pocket, of any suitable material, by means of hooks connected with the ring, which engage with the edge of the pocket. Pivoted to the upper end of said pole are two segmental arms, with which are connected near the pivoted ends two links, which in turn are connected with a rod passing through staples secured to the pole, which rod is provided at its lower end with a springaotuated handle pivoted to the pole by which said rod is operated. The free ends of said segmentalarms engage with a guide-bracket secured to the ring, as hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a fruit-gatherer constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional View of the upper part thereof. Fig. 3 is a plan View.

Fig. 4 is a detail view of the brace-bracket. In the said drawings the reference-nu meral 1 designates a pole or stafi to the upper end of which is secured an annulus or ring 2, at a right angle thereto. Also secured to said pole is a brace-braoket comprising the lug 3 and the inclined arms 4, the upper ends of which are secured to the ring 1. The numeral 5 designates a pocket made of textileor other suitable material. The edge of this pocket is connected with hooks 6, depending from the ring. Pivoted to the upper end of said pole are two segmental arms 7, the free ends of which work in a guide-bracket 8, secured to the said ring. Near the pivoted ends there is connected with each of said arms a link 9, consisting of a curved piece of wire. The inner ends of these links are pivotally connected with a pin 12, passing through the upper bifurcated end of arod 13, which works in guide-staples 14, secured to the pole 1. The lower end of this rod is pivoted to a handle 15, which is pivotally connected with the pole 1. This handle is provided with a spring 16, which bears against the pole, and its tendency is to press the rod upward, so that the segmental arms will be distended when in normal position.

The operation is as follows: The pole is elevated and guided to the apple or other object to be gathered, and so guided that the latter will pass between the two segmental arms. Said arms are then contracted by means of the handle and connections, which will cause the fruit to be disconnected from the limb of the tree. When the pocket is full or a sufficient quantity has been collected therein, the pole is lowered and the contents deposited on the ground or in a suitable receptacle.

It will thus be seen that fruit can be gathered in a rapid and eiiicient manner without the necessity of climbing the tree, and will not be bruised or injured.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim is- In a fruit-gatherer, the combination with the pole, the ring secured to the upper end thereof, provided with downwardly-depending hooks, the removable pocket connected with said hooks, and the inclined brace-bars formed with a lug secured to said pole, of the segmental arms pivoted to the upper end of said pole, the curved links pivoted to said arms, the reciprocating rod having its upper end bifurcated, the pin pivotally connecting my own I have hereunto affixed my signature said bifurcated end and the links and the in presence of two Witnesses.

guide-bracket secured to said rin opposite the pivoted point of said arms and serving as DANIEL WARD a guide for the free ends of said arms, sub- WVitnesses:

stantially as described. JOSEPH I-I. WARD, J12,

In testimony that I claim-the foregoing as JOHN KITTINGER. 

